Let’s face it, the Colts have had a pretty rough year at the running back position to date. After throwing down some cash on Ahmad Bradshaw to be their lead back in the off-season, Bradshaw only plays in three games and doesn’t even register fifty total touches before going down for the rest of the season with a major, career-threatening injury. His backup? Well that would be none other than Vick Ballard who went down after game one of the season with a torn ACL. And as we know, the Colts got bold and traded for T-Rich and well…yeah, we all know how well that’s going. But underneath the inconsistency and frustration, a man has been playing lights out with limited touches and even less fanfare for Indy. Well, until Thursday Night Football that is. Donald Brown has been the supposed backup or third stringer in the Colts offense since game one of the season but most likely bought himself a bit more playing time rolling forward after his 14 carries for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns while chipping in 14 on a catch. Many forget Brown himself was a first round pick out of Connecticut in 2009 but it’s for good reason: he’s performed nowhere near this level his entire career. The hesitant DB we all know from the past seems to have vanished and a confident, quick bursting Donald has emerged. Despite the Colts offensive line woes, DB has averaged 5.9 yards per carry this season and looks to get a few more touches moving forward after tonight’s performance. After all the off-season movement that has led to wasted money and draft picks, Donald can finally drag Irsay into the board room and utter those infamous words: you’re fired. In other news from TNF for 2013 Fantasy Football…

Chris Johnson – For those of you who own CJ, I sure hope you turned the game off after the first quarter and spent the rest of your night dreaming about how good of a game he must’ve had. On a night where you have 70 yards and 2 TDs after 1 quarter, your night shouldn’t end with 84 total yards (86 on the ground, -2 on one measly catch). An open letter from Fantasy Football fans everywhere: Dear Mike Munchak, this is how you lose to a team like the Jaguars. PS, from Donald Brown: You’re Fired.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – After ranking him 13th for QBs, this wasn’t quite the night I had in mind but it wasn’t a complete bust either: 22/28 for 222 and a TD to go with 26 yards on the ground. I guess I can be thankful he didn’t play like the Schitzcraptrick we know he can. The Titans played slow down football after jumping out to a 17-3 lead so we didn’t get to see Ryan do much throw the air until the 4th or maybe we’d be calling him Fitzhatrick after a 3 TD night.

Coby Fleener – On a night where Luck was having some accuracy issues, Fleener was the lone bright spot in the passing game, posting 107 yards on 8 catches from 10 targets. A night like that is a perfect example of why I ranked Fleener in the top 10 for TEs in my weekly rankings. Yup, one spot behind Marcedes Lewis. Man, that’s gonna sting, I can already feel it.

Andrew Luck – As I previously mentioned a whole 1/4th of an inch above, Luck’s been dealing with some accuracy issues. I don’t think it’s a huge cause for concern but I do think he’s been ‘seeing ghosts’ as they say and has been bailing on some throws prematurely due to some of the shots he’s been taking of late. Hard to say I blame him, the o-line has been seemingly worse for wear the last few weeks. Though the end line wasn’t terrible – 23/36 for 232 and 31 on the ground with a rushing TD – it definitely is a good example of the good but not great nights he’s been having. Basically, we drafted Luck as a low end QB1 and that has been his output. BUT WE WANTED MORE!

Shonn Greene –We want to get Greene about 15 touches a game moving foward. So sayeth the Munchak. After the first week back from injury of getting 10 I was like, ‘ok, Munchak, not great but not terrible. We’ll do better next week’. Then he got 12 and I was like ‘ok, Munchak, a little better but still not hitting the sweet spot’. Then tonight after getting 3 I was all like ‘ok, Munchak, say hello to Donald Brown: YOU’RE FIRED’.

Kendall Wright – Here’s what I said about Kendall when I said to BUY him a few weeks back: We’re not talking Josh Gordon break out capability here, but sometimes simple and cheap gets you through the week. Mmm-hmm. Wright has been that quietly consistent guy that no one loves to own but has never left you with a goose egg at the end of the night, especially in PPR leagues. After another strong performance with 9 catches for 80 yards on 12 targets, I hope the price was right for Wright.

Trent Richardson – What can be said at this point? I do think T-Rich was mishandled when brought into the fold with the Colts. I do think they did a poor job of setting a run game plan that fits his style. I do think the Colts were stupid to spend that much on a running back in this day and age and how much football has changed over the last few years. But the flip side to all of this is T-Rich looks hesitant, runs like he’s got a granny panties’ depends load in the back and was a top 5 pick who shouldn’t need a particular game plan to make him look good when it’s all said and done. I think the most apt description I’ve seen of Trent so far has been Cedric Benson only with a better rookie year. T-Rich is gonna have to get more aggressive before he looks good on tape again. Well, I don’t know how good he looks on THAT tape. Sorry, Hulk, T-Rich, et al. When a male is the lead in the scandalous sex tape being shopped, I’m not all that giddy about watching.

Delanie Walker – In a game that features TY Hilton, breakout candidate WRs like Justin Hunter and even great receiving backs like CJ?K, of course the lone TD catch would go to Delanie…of course. Walker finished the night with 10/91, catching all of his targets and further boosting my fear of that Marcedes TE ranking. I’m gonna look so stupid for that come Monday morning next week.

Was offered Reggie Bush and Jordan Reed for my Jamaal Charles….seems like a no-brainer but I’m afraid of Bush’s injury history. 0.5PPR league and my current TE is waiver grab of the week.
Am I over thinking this?
Thanks!

@Jep: same here. It was between him, Ridley, Gordon, and Harvin and I went with him. I’ll gladly take 20.9 points out of one flex spot before the Sunday games. Would I have wanted more after that first quarter? Yeah, but I really can’t complain much.

I can’t believe the Colts thought adding Richardson was going to fix their running game permanently when their offensive line was so woeful. And I never got the DB hatred, really. Seems as though as RB’s mature, they discern which holes to hit hard versus when to wait on them to open and DB seems to have finally gotten that WHILE still having 1st round pedigree & youth on his side. If and when T-Rich gets it, he’ll be good but it isn’t gonna help the Colts or fantasy owners this season.

PS: if it seems I’m bitter I am because I drafted Bradshaw and was giddy as a schoolgirl after Ballard went down only to see that stupid trade happen literally hours later & watch his potential go w/injury days later. Granted, I navigated through it thanks to Razzball’s help on the wires & trades, but the Colts are still morons.

@Clint (aka Pablo Death): Trust me when I say I’m with you on all of what you’re saying. T-Rich is a workhorse back. His body can take the abuse but he’s not an AP type who can play above poor play. The fact the Colts didn’t know this before the trade and play him like they have/did just boggles my mind.

Very true about RBs learning with due time. Spiller was a bust after just a season. RB success is so much a product of style so many times. It’s why I was surprised they went and got Bradshaw in the first place. Vick was serviceable and fit the offense well. It’s clear the Colts were coached by Peyton to greatness over those years because I’m seeing a lot of idiocy going on there right now.

Given that I was surprised you put Smith so high for the week (ranked second out of my receivers). I want to play SSmith partly because I don’t trust Nicks or Boykin to get enough targets, but worry about him being shadowed by Talib and know my other receivers have better upside.

Can I ask you what you saw in SSmith’s matchup that has given us some confidence that he’ll be a WR2/3 this week?

@the imp: He’s still gonna draw plenty of targets. Honestly, WR3 this week is pretty wide open this week. A lot of names that are bubble plays like Randle or Boykin could outperform him but if it turns into a bit of a shootout with NE, Smith will be involved. If Talib does start, though, I’d be inclined to drop him. I’ll know a bit more this weekend; he might slip back down.

@Sky: Makes sense to me. Good to know you haven’t factored in Talib yet and that Smith is more WR3 than WR2 this week.
Of course, the problem with playing matchups with a team full of RB2s and WR3s is that the odds are always in your favor you’ll screw up. Picking the right RB out of 3 similar RBs is about a 33% play. Picking 2 of 4 WRs is a 12.5% play, plus you’ve got all the guys on the wire that will blow up and do better. Same with streaming DSTs, though they feel a bit easier than WR to figure out.

Mr. Sky, I have yet one more question for you. So I have New England in my lineup right now. Carolina is available, and they have been the second most valuable Defense in our league this season. Obviously, New England can put up a ton of points. But do you see much difference between me playing Carolina this week over NE? I’m wondering because Carolina has a great schedule the next two weeks and would coast me into the Playoffs and I don’t want to lose out on them for that.

@Sky: done and done. Can’t imagine they’re THAT much different this week. But the next couple weeks look good. Then they have New Orleans on 2 of 3 weeks down the stretch. That doesn’t look too good, but they’ve been a strong D all season.

I see you have Wallace ranked higher than Tate, but you have Wilson as the number 1 QB, and Wallace might be injured (and is completely inconsistent). Does it make a difference that I’m starting Lynch at RB?

@Rags: I play the best players in the best set up. I’d play all three Denver receivers and Moreno if I had them.

If the injury is serious, I’ll move Wallace down but his matchup is nicer on paper. I have Wilson #1 because he spreads the ball around. He doesn’t usually have just one receiver with big numbers so it’s hard to hit on Tate week to week.

Hey sky, first time posting on the football section of razzball. Have a trade dilemma I need some help with.

10 team ppr, I’m currently #1 and looking desperately for a QB.
My WR are green, Andre Johnson, and Antonio brown(flex). I’ve decided they’re untouchable for my playoff push.
At RB I have gore, woodhead, McFadden, spiller, Andre brown, and leveon bell. I figure with my depth I can trade RB for a QB as I’m currently sitting with keenum (who I dropped eli for) and rothelisberger.

I’ve got two offers on the table gore for Rodgers straight up or gore for rivers. Neither will take anything less than gore (I’ve tried repeatedly) which one do you do?
Also related I have Carolina at DSt but with two gamess during FF playoffs vs the saints, I’m looking for another option. I really like the Bengals and was hoping to combine the trades. Rodgers and the Bengals for gore and….? I already offered McFadden and he laughed. Do you think gore and bell is too steep of price for broken collar bone Rodgers and the Bengals D?

You shouldn’t be trading for a defense, let alone an RB2 for a defense. Secondly, Keenum has performed really well and has a solid schedule down the stretch. I don’t think you need to be making a move. Enjoy your depth.

I have Stafford as my lone QB with a major hole at TE (H. Miller and T. Wright). I’ve been offered Jordan Reed and Aaron Rodgers for Stafford, but the only QBs on waivers are Pryor, Geno, Henne, and Glennon.

Should I accept this trade for the ultimate risk/reward? Standard 12-team league.

I’m nervous about giving up Marshawn Lynch because he’s such a beast and my 1st round pick, but he has a couple of tough matchups in weeks 15 and 16 and I also have Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin, and DeSean Jackson who will all be on a bye for week 12. After this trade, here would be my lineup:

question i was just offered Jordy for my Moreno, now i could use a WR since im rolling with B marsh, Shorts, Harry D & T. Williams but my Backs are Moreno, AP, Sproles, & MJD so im not sure if i can pull the trigger on the deal i was thinking of countering with Moreno & Shorts for Nelson and Zach Stacey not sure if itll be accepted but moreno for Nelson doesnt seem like a good deal for me

Hi! I’m not sure who to start in PPR league, QB is Stafford without question, RBs are Peterson and Chris Johnson (already played), TE is Olsen, K Folk, I already started Kendall Wright at WR and the questions are who to start at the other WR and FLEX between Vincent Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Ellington… Also need to choose between Kansas DEF or Houston… Thanks…

v.davis owner sent trade request for moreno for his davis. i’m guessing take that over the possible hilton upgrade, since I sent out the hilton for my moreno, but got back his powell/hilton for my dola/moreno. Clearly this isn’t good as I even without moreno have Miller/vereen/j.bell whom i’d play over powell anyway. so which one,
1 just take davis (already have bennett, along with dola/nelson/d-jax/floyd at WR, play only 3)
or
2 keep trying to talk down hilton owner to something more amenable.

0.5 PPR and I’m sure you know the bonuses by heart now. It is also a two player keeper league, so I would be losing out on the opportunity of keeping Graham for next year. But I’m also in first place and I can’t help but think this makes me better for the rest of this year. And not like keeping Green or Dez and Forte is that bad of a choice (can’t keep two of the same position). Additionally I’ll have to drop a player, either Rivers or Brown would seem to be the drop, because Vereen isn’t on my active roster.

What do you think? Does this make me better this year and does it completely screw me for keepers?

@Wilsonian: Sorry I was out and about Friday. I completely forgot we were talking keeper league. For that reason I wouldn’t do this trade. Other than Stacy, you’re not getting the better side of a keeper deal.

Since playoffs are around the corner I’m trying to plan ahead and possibly bench a decent DEF for the big push. I usually steam them, though have kept CAR for a few weeks now and digging their numbers. What say you on the best D to pick up for my stash. Was thinking Cleveland since starting week 13 they play Jaquars, Patriots, Bears & Jets. As always Thanks!

@Shadow: Also wondering if it’s worth dropping A. Luck to pick up C. Keenum for ROS. I know Schaub is begging to play again and no commitment from Kubiak that he won’t. I also have Foles who’s been sound though there are matchups down the road that aren’t quite as soiree as this weeks.

@Shadow: Your concerns about Luck are understandable. Not the easiest schedule ahead and 4 out of the next 6 will be outdoors, where he has struggled bigtime. If Foles is available u should def pick him up. His only tough matchup is Arizona. Keenum has an easy sked too. As long as he keeps playing the way he does I don’t see how Kubiak can go away from him. I’d take Foles over Keenum and try to trade Luck.

Would u move the Jets DST up after news of Stevie Johnson being ruled out? Out of curiosity, why are u low on them compared to others in the industry? I’m torn between starting them or Carolina, who’s been solid, no doubt, but I think they may get exposed a bit by a finally healthy NE offense. Thoughts?

@Radio Flyer: It’s very rare a game produces two top 10 DST. Jets will move up a little bit for me – as will HOU now that McGloin is starting – but if I’m banking on Geno Smith committing 1 or 2 TOs and putting the defense in bad spots all day, it’s hard to say that it’s gonna happen both ways. Plus the home team always comes out a bit stronger.

The only thing that’s going to make CAR struggle is if they don’t get pressure on Tom. I have NE pulling away late but I think there’ll be plenty of sacks for them and maybe a pressure-induced INT in there as well. CAR is playing at a high level. Only thing that’s wrong with CAR is their offense.

@Jay: Hilton is def an upgrade over Wright. But he’s got a bit of a rough schedule ahead of him. Any way u can get a WR1 from the NFC East like DJax or Garcon? What about Andre Johnson? Those guys have cake matchups the rest of the way. I think that may be the better move to solidify your playoff lineup.

@Jay: It’s a risky play. I do like Hilton ROS but my main issue with this trade is how will Miller perform with half of his offensive line out ROS. I like him but Miami hasn’t shown they could adjust to it given how they played last week. That’s why I’d hold.

@Sky:
Alright trade got denied he countered with
C.j. spiller and stacy for graham really don’t like it even know I have cameron
Was thinking about offering just cameron for stacy a 1 for 1 what do you think
He is in desperate nees for a te and has serious depth at rb he has moreno murray spiller stacy and fred jackson

What do you yhink about both trades???
Seriously thank you for the work you do sky I know its probably not easy going back and forth all day with the questions but I and I know a lot of others appreciate it.

v.davis owner sent trade request for moreno for his davis. i’m guessing take that over the possible hilton upgrade, since I sent out the hilton for my moreno, but got back his powell/hilton for my dola/moreno. Clearly this isn’t good as I even without moreno have Miller/vereen/j.bell whom i’d play over powell anyway. so which one,
1 just take davis (already have bennett, along with dola/nelson/d-jax/floyd at WR, play only 3)
or
2 keep trying to talk down hilton owner to something more amenable.
i posted this before but left out how i already have charles and bush as starters, so I truly have no need for moreno.

Whats up, Im a PManning and Russell Wilson owner and am wondering why you ranked Wilson #1 over PM. I know MIN has a terrible pass def, wilsons home, harvins return, OL return and PM has bad ankles vs a tough def off a bye week. But is all of that enough to bench PM the #1 overall playa? Im also looking for the most upside and not a conservative approach. Please share your thoughts. Thanks for your time

PM is playing with a turned ankle against one of the best defenses in the league. You kinda already listed every good reason and listed a bad reason for Peyton…I’m not sure how that couldn’t be enough given that he’s finished as a top 5 QB the last 3 to 4 weeks prior to this. Top that off with KC being one of the best defenses in the league, it’s hard to just put Peyton at the top like everyone else.

Things are going sideways for my fake football team. Pryor and Cutler are both injured for me, leaving only a healthy Foles in my 2qb league. Need to drop one of the injured guys for a fill in. Manuel or Geno in what is supposed to be a windy game (and Manuel doesn’t have his top 2 WRs), or McGloin, Henne, or Cassel. Need help scraping this barrel.

Drop Cutler. High ankle sprains aren’t anything to ignore. I’d try Manuel. Less likely to hurt you w/TO. Lower upside too but you could probably use a safe week w/your situation and BUF defense is pretty tough at home.

Would you trade Moreno for a better WR like C Johnson or Dem Thomas as the guy is rolling with Lynch, Jennings, Woodhead and Miller. He does have V Davis too, but I should have down a trade for today for that choice

I think you have a good three-headed RB setup up without Moreno. Normally I’d say no but your team could use it. Try a 2-2 where you get the lesser RB and he gets the lesser WR. You’re probably not getting Calvin or DT but it’s worth a shot.

Dolphins C Mike Pouncey (illness) is not expected to play Sunday against the Chargers.
Pouncey wound up in the hospital Friday due to kidney/gallbladder issues.
Does this move Lamar miller down in your rankings for this week?

Sky, I’m starting Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham and facing a team that already had CJ go. Is picking up Cleveland defense in a possible sloppy game that much of an improvement over playing San Fran vs N.O.?

Also playing Leonard over Lamar Miller and his lack of lineman… and Michael Floyd over L Moore and Rishard Matthews. Agree?

after checking to see if he even played at all, put him in, and then got worried about his shoulder, so benched him again. This is in the league where i’m going to win division and this week play against the only team with better record than me, but he’s weak this week having to play pierce/ingram; instead i bench FLOYD! for dola. those likely extra 30 or so pts could very well be difference from me not getting total pts for the season! damn. also what the F is up with r.bush? i’d probably still won this week if not for him having his first bad game of the year.

@Sky: figured dola’s floor was higher (in a PPR anyway), considering floyd’s shoulder possibly limiting him. also, since I figured ARI would be winning more easily they wouldn’t push him if he had any setbacks. Plus i figured Ellington would be running a lot vs JAX. Bush hasn’t had less than i think like 9.5 in my league’s scoring, today he has under 3 as of now.

@Wilsonian: we all would’ve done that. good decisions going bad shouldn’t (at least for me) hurt as much as fence sitting decisions that burn really bad, like dola over floyd. I was close (went back and forth twice), stuck dola due to shoulder problem of floyd’s.

@Sky: he got all of his output in like a 2 or less minute window (including the punts) at the start of the 2nd half. woodhead’s doing kick returns now, shame i don’t have him in one of my return yards leagues.

tolzien’s f’ing my shit up over here. too many picks. better off stick ing with him or going into the waters of these boobs. I’ve not seen the tape, so it’s possible these are picks not his fault, but probably are.
eli/campbell/manuel/fitz/glennon?

in the last league where I wasn’t able to trade away moreno (due to deadline being earlier, even though it has same commish; sidenote, why even have trade deadlines before playoffs?) and have these at RB (play 2 and have a flex, where I pretty much play one of these every week, no small part to losing cobb)
moreno/sproles (1 pt per 10 return yards league, he used to do punt and kick returns, did at the start of the year)/vereen/a.brown/miller should i add ball as insurance by dropping either miller or cutler. i already have rodgers/keenum (dropping keenum on wed morning for either eli or tolzien)